The Cohiba Club

Herf 50 – Let’s Celebrate!

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:12:00 +0000

December 4th, 2011 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, John L., Patrick (in AZ via Skype), John D., Chris, and Dan. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

We took this opportunity to thank our families for supporting the previous 49 herfs by making this a ‘family’-herf. Wives, kids (about 33 of us in total) had a great time mingling, snacking, and toasting before the big meal. Now we’ve had some great feasts at herfs before, but nothing like this! There were braised shortribs, meatballs, spareribs, chicken, rice, pasta, salad, veggies, olive bread, much more, and a myriad of desserts. It goes on and on!

Our selection for this herf was the Montecristo Petit Edmundo. Yes, ‘the’ Petit Edmundo. It’s true that we departed from our usual herf selection process to choose something extra special for this milestone herf. This short robusto is a straightforward parejo shape with that familiar, understated Montecristo band, but what lies beneath is something very special indeed. It’s one of those sticks that many seek and few have tried. It’s worth noting that our anticipation was pretty high going into this herf. What a great size too, not intimidating, just enough for a cold winter night. A special treat, to say the least. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for the ‘tubo’ version is 89 (Feb, 2011). Prior to that it has enjoyed ratings from them of: 90, 89, 94, 93, and 91.

Here’s what CA said about it back in 2007 when it scored a 92 and ranked No. 11 in their annual Top 25:

“This is one hell of a rich smoke for such a small package. Only 4 1/3 inches by 52 ring in size, this little blockbuster delivers an opulent palate full of rich cocoa bean, sweet earth and pleasant floral notes that crescendo to a long, nutty finish. Smoking it is almost like drinking a rich, decadent Chinese tea. This cigar was created in the new H. Upmann factory in Nuevo Vedado in 2006 following the success of the Hoyo de Monterrey Petit Robusto. The Petit Edmundo is essentially a shortened version of the highly successful Montecristo Edmundo, which is 52 ring by 5 1/3 inches. The petit is actually stronger and more flavorful than the original. In fact, it’s hard to think of a cigar from Cuba that packs so much flavor in such a little format.“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we gathered in Fernand’s outdoor smoking room for this long awaited, special herf.

For some of the guys, this was their first cigar from Cuba. Right away, everyone was impressed with the quality of appearance, including the simple of beauty of it’s shape and band. It scored almost perfectly across the board for texture, appearance, and roll quality. There just really weren’t any take-aways. About the only comment we had for Category I was that one of the guys would have like his to have been a little more tightly packed.

The lowest scoring category was Smoking Characteristics. This could be because of several re-lights that took place across our eight samples. The draw through the cigar was just fine for most of us, but one was a little tight, and one was a little loose. A few of us observed uneven burning along with those pesky re-lights. For those whose cigar did go out, the re-lighting was not a deal-breaker, but a minor nuisance, at least. The smoke quality was smooth and creamy. The ash was stable for some, but a little fragile for most of us.

The flavor was so pleasant. This is not a strong cigar. The flavors we detected were of mild spices, wood, and nuts. Everyone commented on how easy and smooth the taste was; not bold, but still flavorful in an easy-going sort of way. There were notes of honey or brown sugar, vanilla, and walnut. There was a pretty-well established consensus among our eight tasters that the flavor profile was consistent all the way through; and we mean all the way through, to the end, because some of these sticks got down to very short little nubs. The only comment, not much of a complaint really, was that some of the guys would have liked a tad more intensity of flavors, and more variation along the way, but none of that could exactly be considered detrimental to anyone’s favorable impression of this cigar. We got precisely what we expected and hoped for from one of Cuba’s more noteworthy creations.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Montecristo Petit Edmundo is 91. An ‘outstanding’ cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 33 pts (94% of the points possible)

While the Petit Edmundo is a great compact size, we selfishly would’ve liked this special experience to have gone on just a bit longer. Perhaps that’s the best endorsement we can give.

A big Thank You goes out to Denis and Frédéric for helping to make this herf a little more special.

See you at the next herf, February 5th.

Herf 49 – Garage Band

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:46:00 +0000

November 6th, 2011 – Woodway, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Joe, John L., Patrick (in AZ), Mark, John H., and Chris. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

It’s always a treat to sit down to an expertly-cooked meal prepared by club co-founder John. This knock-out meal was no exception. John attends to every detail with care and precision along the way. He served up sirloin tip roast with both blue cheese and horse radish sauces, joined by a wonderful rice dish and his wife’s favorite salad.

Our selection for this herf was the My Father Cedros Deluxe Cervantes. This beautiful Lonsdale is the creation of Jaime Garcia, son of the great Don Pepin Garcia. As the name suggests, the effective difference here from the regular My Father line, is the cedar sheath around the hybrid Ecuadorian Habano Rosado/Criollo wrapper. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 91 (Apr, 2011).

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) our six tasters gathered out in John’s garage for the business part of this herf; along with @PHXCigarGuy doing his part in AZ.

What a good looking presentation this is; from the attractive My Father band, to the cedar shroud, to the expertly-applied triple cap. Removal of the cedar wrapping revealed a beautiful wrapper leaf. Two of our seven samples had some pretty large veins showing on the wrappers, but as club member Chris stated, "Great construction! Perfect in every way." The cold draw was free enough and some of us got a bit of spice from it prior to lighting, while others did not.

Before we get to flavor, it’s worth noting that these were some of the best burning cigars that we’d seen in some time, despite a couple of them needing relights. No one complained about the draw either. This is a clear statement to us about the quality of manufacturing at the My Father tabacalera in Estelí. Some of the sticks displayed some pretty long ashes too.

This cigar’s flavor started out with the expected amount of pepper before moving on to wood. It was smooth through the middle portion before ramping up to a stronger ending. There didn’t seem to be significant flavor variations for us, but consistent is not always bad if it’s good flavors your talking about.

After throwing out the highest and lowest scores (Mark’s 84 and John’s 94) then averaging the remaining results, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the My Father Cedros Deluxe Cervantes is 89. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

This was a very well-like cigar by our group. It garnered much praise during the course of the evening. There may have been a couple hiccups along the way, but nothing that should deter you from trying this fine cigar if you haven’t already.

We’ll see you at the next herf, December 6th. It will be our 50^th! We’re really looking forward to this very special celebration.

Cigar Review – La Gloria Retro Especiale

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:54:00 +0000

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at General Cigar. Featured this time is the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale ‘Club’.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Miami
Length: 5 ¾”
Ring Gauge: 47
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Binder: Mexican
Wrapper: Honduran Connecticut
Strength: Medium
Price: $7

Among the recent creations from Team La Gloria, this line features a natural, velvet-looking, Honduran-grown Connecticut wrapper. They are made at the El Credito Cigar Factory in Miami, FL.

From the manufacturer:

“The Honduran Connecticut wrapper accentuates the fillers and binders resulting in a very unique cigar with spicy nuances. The Artesanos Retro Especiale is a smoke to be savored by those who are passionate [about] authentic boutique cigars.”

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) club co-founders John & Fernand sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a glass of rum.

With a beautifully smooth wrapper and a well-executed cap at the head, it appeared very well-constructed. There were visible ridges running the length of it which we attributed to the pressed that it was shaped in prior to wrapper application, but who knows.

The cigar’s draw was very good, if just a bit on the firm side of the spectrum. The burn was pretty good for the most part, except both our cigars went out at about the same point; just after the start of the second third. Smoke output was sufficient and it’s texture was pleasing. The ash was not always stable, but at least it was uniform and intact before falling.

The flavor started out a tad strong, but quickly mellowed into a welcomed smoothness. We noted sensations similar to cedar, sandalwood, and ‘fortunately’ very brief notes of menthol/ammonia near the end of the second third. That last part aside, we enjoyed the flavors of the Retro Especial very much, overall.

Our averaged rating for the La Gloria Cubana Artesanos Retro Especiale ‘Club’ is 85, a very good cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:

I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

All in all, a very enjoyable cigar that we recommend you try for yourself. Visit your local tobacconist and pick up a few!

Herf 48 – Back To The Fall

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:08:00 +0000

October 2, 2011 – Sammamish, WA

by club co-founder John

In attendance were host Robert, John L., Patrick (in AZ via Skype), Bruce, and Peter. Per our monthly ritual, we gathered to enjoy the chosen cigar after a home-cooked meal…

…and what a meal it was! Our host and co-founder Robert had awakened at 0500 to start smoking….no not the cigars, but two spice rubbed pork shoulders. Slow cooked, smoked, and basted with a sweet apple concoction, they came out extraordinarily well; juicy smoky, flavorful, and falling-apart good. Along with the spicy bean salad, slaw, and garlic bread, they set the stage for our first Fall herf of the year.

True to form, our NW Fall weather provided a rainy and cool evening, but we were well sheltered on Robert’s back porch as we settled down to try our selection of the month; the Tabacos Baez Serie H Monarcas. This is another in the long line of Garcia Family Cigars from Nicaragua. It is constructed with Nicaraguan Cuban seed filler, Nicaraguan binder and with Ecuadorian Habano wrapper.

Following CA’s 4-part rating system (Appearance, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) our 4 tasters in Seattle enjoyed and rated this month’s selection. Patrick couldn’t get a hold of one in Phoenix by herf-time and settled for a Fuente instead, but still appreciated the camaraderie of the evening with friends.

True to form, this Don Pepin cigar was well-executed with a nice sheen and well-made cap. It was firm with slightly prominent veins. The draw was great with few burn issues in the first half. Two of the tasters thought that the draw and smoke volume, though initially great, later fell-off towards the second-half. The ash, on the other hand, was flawless.

The flavors were relatively mild, but tasty nonetheless. We noted browned butter and slightly woody & sweet tones with some initial hints of vanilla thinning out towards the end. It was a good medium strength cigar without too much spice.

After throwing out the highest and lowest scores then averaging the remaining, The Cohiba Club’s official rating for the Tabacos Baez Serie H Monarcas is 83, a “very good” cigar according to our rating system.

Here’s the points breakdown:
I. Appearance and Construction: 14.5 pts (96% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 20.5 (80% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21.5 (86% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression : 26.5 (76% of the points possible)

We were not blown away by this cigar, as we have been with many of the other Pepin offerings. It did, however, appear to be a well made, smooth, and easy smoke with no major flaws, and with a good milder flavor profile that some of you will certainly enjoy.

We’ll see you at the next herf, November 6th.

Herf 47 – Full House

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 04:52:00 +0000

August 7th, 2011 – Seattle, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, John L., Patrick (in AZ via Skype), Pat, Bruce, John D., Peter, Eric, and Chris. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Wow, what a turnout! We haven’t had a crew this large in quite some time; perhaps a testament to the mastery that our host John has over his backyard smoker, the ‘Smoke Vault’. As he’s done before, he once again served up the most mouth-watering smoked chicken you can find in Seattle. At one point, one of the birds actually squirted across his kitchen as John cut into it! With loads of complimentary side-dishes and plenty of ales to wash it all down, it was one meal that’s hard to forget.

Our selection for this herf was the Toraño Single Region Serie Jalapa Churchill. Though it’s made in Honduras by Toraño Family Cigar Co., the contents of this 7x50 beast are all-Nicaraguan, from the Jalapa Valley to be exact (hence the name). The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 92 (Feb, 2010).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“One Region, One Farm, One Fine Cigar. Single Region - Serie Jalapa features a blend of tobacco from the El Estero Farm in Jalapa, Nicaragua. This small farm which is located in the northern most growing province of Nicaragua is irrigated by a natural stream which has run through the property for centuries. The mineral rich water from this stream together with the soil which is a mix of sand and red clay, have enabled this farm to grow some of the finest and most aromatic tobacco in the world.

The tobacco is rich and flavourful, yet smooth and elegant and features a very distinctive sweetness - characteristics which are consistent with tobacco grown in Jalapa. Enjoy this rich, layered smoke which imparts a truly luscious flavor. “

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) our ten tasters, plus @PHXCigarGuy via Skype (pictured right) gathered out on John’s back patio enjoying the pleasant evening and the camaraderie that came along with it.

Initially, the Churchill appeared to be very well-made. The long parejo shape looked true and uniform with fine veins. The wrapper color was nice too. Some of the guys referred to their cigar’s coloring as ‘two-tone’, having a wrapper and cap of dark and light colors. The closer we looked the more flaws we found; tiny holes, tears, and cracks. We couldn’t help but suspect that the wrapper was more delicate than usual, perhaps causing it to be abnormally fragile.

Most everyone agreed that the draw was perfect right off the bat – a great start to a cigar that we had looked forward to trying. It didn’t take long, however, for many of us to notice burn discrepancies. For the most part, smoke output was pretty good, but the number of relights required became ridiculous – nine for one of us, seven for another, and five or six for a few more guys. The ash wasn’t the most stable we’d seen, but ok for most of us. In addition to the burn problem, about half of them displayed splitting or unraveling.

The flavor started out with a slight sweetness and hints of mild spices (“like cinnamon” said one taster in Seattle, as well as our man in Phoenix) before turning to straw or mild wood through the first-third. A couple guys noted a bread-like or ‘doughy’ character in there somewhere. Eventually, a few of the guys would later describe their samples as monotonous, bland, and lacking complexity. The best we could take away from the second-third was that the cigar was ‘consistent’. The final third resulted simply in increased strength for some of our tasters, but a bitter, charred ending for a few others.

After throwing out the highest and lowest (a ‘90’ and a ‘67’) then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Toraño Single Region Serie Jalapa Churchill is 81, which sounds unusually low these days, but is still considered a ‘very good’ cigar according to this rating system.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 19 pts (76% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

We had high hopes for this cigar going in, but it did not live up to our expectations, nor our quality standards. In the final evaluation, nine of our eleven tasters rated this cigar below 85; not exactly a glowing endorsement. Nevertheless, each of us should decide for ourselves. So with that in mind, go out and get one of your own. See if you agree with us.

We’ll see you at the next herf, October 2nd.

Herf 46 – Cajun Delight

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 14:22:00 +0000

June 5th, 2011 – Edmonds, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Patrick (in AZ via Skype), Bruce, Peter, and Chris. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

For those who remember Burk’s Café in Ballard, we had a little taste of it last Sunday night. Herf co-hosts Peter and Bruce served up a fabulous jambalaya from the very recipe given to Peter by Terry "Burk" Burkhardt, owner of the cajun/creole restaurant that closed in the Fall of 2004. The chicken, shrimp, and andouille were shrouded in succulent rice and spicy Cajun sauce that were to die for! Well done gentlemen. Joe contributed with a crisp green salad that simply vanished, and finally, Robert’s buttery pound cake polished off what little room was left.

Our selection for this herf was the LFD Air Bender Villano. Yes, our second lancero in a row, it’s made in the Dominican Republic by Tabacalera La Flor S.A. This slender 7.5x38 La Flor features a gorgeous Ecuadorian wrapper and a perfectly twisted little pigtail cap. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 90 (Dec, 2010).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“As the name suggests, the Air Benders are intense, sophisticated, and powerful.“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we convened out on Bruce’s back deck enjoying the pleasant evening and the camaraderie that came along with it.

For most of us, this was our first Air Bender. It was plain to see that Litto Gomez has very skilled rollers producing these gems. All seven of our samples were flawless, with one exception. The cap on Bruce’s Villano displayed a striking color difference, much lighter than the rest of the wrapper, and also a small crack further down in the mid-section which fortunately didn’t interfere with performance.

The lowest scoring category was Smoking Characteristics. The draw was pretty good. About half of them were a bit firm, but that may be preferable when considering smaller ring gauge cigars. They burned well, though a few of us did re-light a few times through the 2^nd third. The smoke output was just right and the ash was very pretty, though somewhat prone to falling a little earlier than we’re used to (we’re guessing that in this case it was due to the smaller diameter).

Flavor? Wow, what a start. These Air Benders really had our attention for the first ¾ inch. When they say ‘intense’, they mean it. It was almost a bit much for our guys who prefer medium strength cigars, but once things settled down, it was all good. There were familiar dark, rich flavors through the bulk of the experience, such as espresso, bitter chocolate, and the like. The surprise for us, however, would be in the final third. Instead of ramping up in strength, perhaps equivalent to the beginning, it stayed smooth – a welcome surprise indeed.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the La Flor Dominicana Air Bender Villano is 89. An ‘excellent’ cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

While the start may have been strong, it wasn’t a turn-off. The Villano is bold without being overpowering. Give one a try, you won’t be disappointed. Craftsmanship, such as we saw in this sleek lancero, is rarely exceeded.

See you at the next herf, August 7th.

Herf 45 – It’s What’s for Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:46:00 +0000

May 1st, 2011 – Woodway, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Patrick (in AZ via Skype), John D, Tom, and Chris. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

It’s always a real treat when we’re fortunate enough to herf at Tom’s house. He’s our club’s undisputed grillmaster. This man can do things with Kingsford that most backyard ‘chefs’ only dream about. The New York Strips that we enjoyed at this herf were incredible, and Tom knows how to lay on the side dishes too; baked potatoes asparagus, and garlic bread (all complimented with a delicious cabernet).

Our selection for this herf was the La Aroma de Cuba Lancero. This beautiful panatela is distributed by Ashton, but produced by Don Pepin’s My Father Cigars in Nicaragua. It features a dark, rich looking Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, a tasteful pigtail cap, and one of the more attractive bands out there. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 91 (Dec, 2010).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“We are very proud to introduce to you the new and improved La Aroma de Cuba! Now handmade in Nicaragua by Pepin Garcia, the new LADC features gorgeous chocolaty Connecticut Broadleaf wrappers and a rich, spicy blend of Nicarguan tobaccos. For the past 18 months, we have been working very closely with the Garcia family to bring this new cigar to fruition. We believe we have successfully improved the flavor and quality of the cigar without compromising the richness and spiciness that loyal LADC smokers have relished for years.“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relaxed out on Tom’s back patio for a clear but crisp evening with friends.

This was a cigar that several of us had been hoping would eventually get selected for a herf and those guys finally got their wish. The appearance and roll quality was a little lower than some of us would have expected, seeing as how this was a Pepin product. That said, lanceros are among the more difficult cigars to roll. The scoring has the final word, however, and our seven tasters gave this cigar 80% of the points possible for category one.

A decent performer, these cigars drew well. Only a couple were too fast, which corresponds to the number of comments regarding loosely-packed rolls. The burn was great for most of us, while a few did need relights around the mid-point. The smoke output was noteworthy for a cigar of diminutive diameter. Admittedly, a cigar’s ash has little to do with it’s smoking enjoyment, but it can impact the experience in subtle ways. As it happens, that was where the most derogatory comments were heard.

Several of us attributed the peppery or spicy flavor characteristic we found to Don Pepin Garcia. There were little complaints in the flavor department, as we have come to expect with most of the products put out by ‘El Maestro’. The mid-section mellowed nicely, along the lines of a pepper-to-wood flavor transition. The ending was similar to the beginning, but that was ok by us, as it was pleasurable both times around.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the La Aroma de Cuba Lancero is 87. An ‘excellent’ cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

This is an easy recommendation for us to make. It may not be the most complex cigar out there, but any fan of Don Pepin’s work will feel like an old friend has stopped by for a visit. Invite him to your next cigar outing and you won’t be disappointed.

See you at the next herf, June 5th.

Herf 44 – The Ol’ Stand-By

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:18:00 +0000

April 3rd, 2011 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, John L., Bruce, Peter, and Patrick (in AZ via Skype). As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

A last-minute venue change led us to turn to Jersey’s sports bar in Shoreline for our customary pre-herf dinner. Every one of us was quite pleased with our meals of steaks, burgers, and sliders; all washed down with fine ales and cocktails. Jersey’s is tops on our list of fall-back locations when plans fall through. Soon we were well-fed and on our way to light up on Fernand’s back patio.

Our selection for this herf was the Gran Habano Corojo #5 Gran Robusto. This ample corona gorda measures 6 by 54. Made in Honduras, it features a four-country blend from Costa Rica, Mexico, Ecuador, and Nicaragua. The ‘Gran Robusto’ holds a past published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 83 (Aug, 2004).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“Gran Habano Corojo #5 is the strongest blend in the Gran Habano profile. The filler consists of Costa Rican and Nicaraguan long leaf tobaccos with a Costa Rican binder all held together by a noticeably red, flawless Nicaraguan Corojo wrapper. The combination produces rich, full-bodied flavors for a veteran cigar smoker.“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we sat down to rate this very affordable cigar. At four bucks each, the price was a welcomed break for our wallets.

This was a cigar that several of us had seen hanging around for years, but had never tried. The appearance and roll quality was a little lower than we are accustomed to seeing. There were some lumps & bumps, soft spots, and some moderate veining.

It didn’t take long to begin hearing complaints amongst our seven herf attendees with regard to poor performance; tight draw, poor burn, relights, thin smoke, etc. It was hard to stay optimistic as this looked like it was going to be a challenging hour or so. A couple of the cigars pulled through and ended up performing just fine, but most did not.

There just wasn’t much for us in the flavor department. While some of the guys simply described it as mild, others reported it starting out ok, but then just dropping off. Most of us agreed on it lacking in both body and flavor. Uninteresting, was the consensus.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Gran Habano Corojo #5 Gran Robusto is 78. A ‘good’ cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 19 pts (76% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 27 pts (77% of the points possible)

As club member Patrick said, “it’s certainly smokeable.” True, but it’s also unremarkable. It’s hard for us to recommend it based on the above scoring. If you’re looking for a budget stick, however, maybe the best we can say is – see for yourself if you agree with us that this is one example of getting what you pay for.

See you at the next herf, May 1st.

Herf 43 – Joe Delivers

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 22:33:00 +0000

March 6th, 2011 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Tom, and Patrick (in AZ via Skype). As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

The four of us meeting for dinner at Fernand’s house were in for a real treat, courtesy of club charter member Joe, or rather his lovely wife. The day before, she had thrown a 40^th birthday bash for him which included a bounty of ribs and the customary side dishes. They were left with so much food that they needed help getting rid of it all. Far be it from The Cohiba Club to not help a BOTL in need.

Our selection for this herf was the Viaje Oro Fuerza. This attractive robusto is a Nicaraguan puro (all-Nicaraguan leaves). The ‘fuerza’ holds a current published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 88 (Aug, 2010).

From the Manufacturer’s website:

“Viaje is a boutique cigar company specializing in the small batch approach to cigar making. Viaje represents the idea that quality is better than Quantity. That small is better than big. That few are better than many.

Why small batch? Well, here are many reasons. Quality, consistency, and most importantly, this is where I get my inspiration. If you enjoy mass produced cigars, you are in the wrong place. We use tobacco sparingly to execute our vision of what a cigar should look and taste like. Viaje represents the boutique in every sense of the word. This is what I enjoy, this is what I provide, and this is my promise. Join us in the revolution against mediocrity.“

On the ‘Oro’ line in particular:

“Hand-crafted in the Raices Cubanas factory, this Nicaraguan puro is a full bodied cigar with a select Corojo99 wrapper surrounding Nicaraguan double binders and a blend of Nicaraguan grade "A" long fillers which make for a rich, complex smoke. Viaje Oro is rolled in the classic Cuban tradition finished with a Cuban triple cap.”

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we gathered under Fernand’s back deck to begin the herf. Also taking part in this tasting, on their own, were club co-founder John, charter member Patrick, and club member Bruce.

Admittedly a new cigar to us, we went into this experience with little preconceived notions about Viaje. Simply put, it’s a good looking cigar. We liked the band and the yellow foot-ribbon. The wrapper was dark and rich looking, with a nice healthy sheen to it. There’s a little veining, but nothing excessive. One of our eight samples had a damaged wrapper which was just starting to unravel, but clearly this was not the norm.

The roll quality was quite good with each cigar feeling firm and substantial. It’s a nice hefty robusto which feels good in the hand. The cold draws were all sufficient and offering sensations of chocolate and savory spices.

Every one of these sticks drew great! That’s something we can’t say very often. Usually, you get a couple that are a bit ‘off’, but that was not the case with these Fuerzas. We wish we could say the same about the burn, unfortunately. A few burned well, but at least half of them exhibited some kind of burn difficulty. A couple were so problematic, as to require multiple relights. The smoke output was pretty good, for the most part, and the ash was so-so in both color and stability, but we don’t eat it, so who cares.

Now for flavor: Some of the guys preferred the initial taste profile, perhaps the first inch or two. Others preferred the middle over the first third. The tasting notes didn’t really refer to any discernable flavors worth noting. What some of the guys called ‘consistent’ others described as lacking in complexity.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Viaje Oro Fuerza is 85. A very good, but not excellent, cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

We really wanted to like this cigar, but burn problems detracted from the experience enough to affect not only our scores, but also our likelihood of buying more Fuerzas. Nevertheless, we do hope you try it for yourself. We’ll be on the lookout for other Viaje products as we continue to try new blends and enjoy the good times that come along with them.

See you at the next herf, April 3rd.

Herf 42 – Post Game Show

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:47:00 +0000

February 6th, 2011 – Woodway, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, and John D. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Four of us met for dinner at Scott’s Bar & Grill in nearby Edmonds. This was a great venue for watching the Superbowl on their many screens and of course, Scott’s dinner did not disappoint.

Our selection for this herf was the Drew Estate Liga Privada T52 Stalk-Cut Robusto. This hefty robusto features a Connecticut-grown, stalk-cut, Habano wrapper. The robusto holds a current published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 88 (Feb, 2010).

Excerpted from a blog post by Jonathon Drew:

“We stumbled upon a farm that was growing a very unique looking “Stalk Cut Tobacco.” After a few hours of inspection, we were impressed, but we tried to keep our composure, as this beautiful leaf had the exact color and thickness qualities that we had been flying all over the damn world looking for. Other brokers had loved the tobacco, but they didn’t want to pay the high price which is required to grow it the right way. Needless to say, we spent a pretty penny, but damn it is worth it. All this, just for the wrapper leaf!“

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we soon convened in John’s garage to begin the herf. Also taking part in this tasting, on their own, were club members Bruce and Patrick (in AZ).

There was great anticipation starting out, given the appearance of this cigar. As you can see by the breakdown in scoring, and the points we awarded for Category I, this is one beautiful specimen. Seldom does the tally of our combined ratings result in a perfect 100% in any one category, but this cigar’s good looks and construction earned it. The wrapper gleams with a perfect texture and a seductive sheen that almost makes your mouth water just looking at it.

The roll quality is true and uniform exhibiting a firm, densely-packed handful of premium leaves. What a pleasant aroma we found on the wrapper, rich and sweet, which gave the impression of extensive fermentation.

Mostly everyone found pleasant draws from their cigars. One was a bit firm, another a bit loose, the rest perfect. About half of our seven burned well, the rest needed the occasional touch-up or re-light. The smoke output was ridiculous. Thick clouds poured forth from the tasters mouths filling the room (the garage) to a soft haze. The ash was nothing to write home about, pretty ugly really, but arguably inconsequential.

Honestly, we expected these sticks to be quite strong. The wrapper’s rich appearance and fully-packed roll had us thinking we were soon to be bowled over. Surprisingly, they weren’t all that strong. Sure, there was a moderate blast of power following the start-up, but it quickly mellowed and we settled into the first third. The sensation was predominately woody, maybe a little meaty. Ultimately, there wasn’t much more to report. There were no further significant flavor changes. Fortunately, it stayed smooth throughout for most of us, never getting harsh. It was a somewhat creamy, easy going smoke. Only one of our tasting panel commented on it getting bitter and a few of the guys even categorized it as rather mild.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Drew Estate Liga Privada T52 is 87. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:

I. Appearance & Construction: 15 pts (100% of the points possible)

II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)

III. Smoking Characteristics: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)

IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

In summary, this is a pretty easy going cigar which could have been a little more interesting. Certainly well made, it was mostly consistent from beginning to end. We definitely recommend folks experience it for themselves. As for us, we’ll be on the lookout for more offerings from Drew Estate.

See you at the next herf, March 6th.

Herf 41 – Cowboy Favorite

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:24:00 +0000

January 2^nd, 2011 – Snoqualmie, WA
by club co-founder John

In attendance were Robert, Joe, Bruce, and John. Patrick submitted his score from AZ.

We met up Jan 2^nd for our third annual herf combo at Jak’s Steakhouse in Issaquah for dinner, followed by cigars at the luxurious smoking room, Lit Cigar Lounge, inside Snoqualmie Casino. This time we chose for our monthly herf tasting the CAO La Traviata Favorito.

To start the night off right, we had drinks and all enjoyed Jak’s tasty 21 oz “Cowboy Ribeye”, then drove up to Lit Lounge, where we were greeted by the knowledgeable and gracious cigar steward, Narong, known to us from our visits to The Vertigo Club in Seattle.

Narong supplied us with our chosen smoke from the ample walk-in humidor at Lit. The football game was winding down as we lit up and we soon had plenty of room to settle down at our table, waited on by server Jenny to supply our libations for the night. Lit has a well-stocked bar, a number comfortable leather loungers and tables, and a casual but upscale atmosphere. This CAO La Traviata, with natural wrapper, was a 5 ½ x 52 petit belicoso.

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Colorado
Binder: Cameroon
Filler: DR, Nicaraguan

We settled in to enjoy and rate the CAO following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

This was a well-built, attractive, and precisely rolled torpedo with an oily sheen and no visible imperfections. It was firm with no soft spots. It had great draw, almost too easy, and produced a very good volume of smoke.

Two out of the five cigars had minimal burn issues, going out and requiring a re-light once. The smoke was cool but too dry tasting for some of us.

Mild leather and some silage tastes were noted, with the consensus being that the flavors were not that striking and were somewhat monotone. The overall impression was that this was a good smoke but not great or inspiring. The flavors were just not that interesting and the texture of the smoke too dry.

After throwing out the highest and lowest scores, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club’s official rating for the CAO La Traviata Favorito is 85.

The scoring breakdown is a follows:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (85% of the points possible)

This was another great herf, our 3^rd at Lit Lounge - with a good, but not great, cigar.

See you at the next herf, February 6^th.

Photo credit to club co-founder Robert.

Herf Cigar of the Year for 2010

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:15:00 +0000

As we explained last year, here at The Cohiba Club, we do our COTY at little differently. We make our selection from the cigars jointly enjoyed at our herfs, held during the past calendar year.
So again we’ve gone back and looked at the results from Herfs 31 through 40.

We weren't able to hold one April or July because of too many members being out-of-town for Spring Break and the July Fourth holiday weekend.

The cigars considered for 2010 were as follows (with our ratings for each):

HC Habano Colorado Belicoso (80) – herf 31

Illusione Epernay La Ferme (90) – herf 32

Ambos Mundos No.2 robusto (89) – herf 33

Padilla Series ’68 Lancero (87) – herf 34

Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Perfecto (86) – herf 35

Nub Maduro 460 (89) – herf 36

A.Fuente Rosado SG Magnum R54 (87) – herf 37

Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos (87) – herf 38

Camacho Corojo Maduro Cetros (85) – herf 39

Tatuaje El Triunfador SODO Corona Especial (92) – herf 40

The scores pretty much tell the story for this past year. The 92, 90, and and a pair of 89’s stand out above the rest.

There’s no denying that Pete Johnson’s Tatuaje El Triunfador (SODO edition) reigned supreme for us in 2010.

This choice comes with the caveat that we recognize it’s limited availability will make it unattainable for so many lovers of the leaf out there. This was a one-time run of only 200 boxes – limited to say the least. In the end, you can’t argue with success and this cigar was just too good for us not to award it our pick for the year.

Congrats to Pete Johnson and John Ohm for producing and inspiring our Herf Cigar of the Year!

Second place goes to the Illusione Epernay La Ferme which we enjoyed very much at herf 32 at The Vertigo Club.

Third place goes to the Ambos Mundos No.2, also by Pete Johnson, that we enjoyed at herf 33.

Honorable Mention goes to:

Nub Maduro 460

Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos

All great cigars, deserving of our praise and your examination. What great cigars 2010 brought!

Here’s to future herfs!

Herf 40 – SODO Surprise

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 21:32:00 +0000

December 5th, 2010 – Seattle, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, John L., Patrick, John D., and John O. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

This herf actually began with a bit of a change in plans. Due to a last minute change in venue, we suddenly found ourselves herfing at Seattle’s private Vertigo Club. A pleasant surprise, indeed, thanks to club member and owner of J&J Cigars, John Ohm.

As we’ve done before at The Vertigo Club, this herf’s meal was potluck style – and boy did the guys deliver! We had pasta with a rich meaty marinara sauce, a three meat chili, sautéed shrimp, salad, garlic bread, wine, beers, cake, chocolates, Bourbon, and Scotch.

Our selection for this herf was the ultra-limited Tatuaje El Triunfador SODO Corona Especial, chosen to celebrate our 40th herf since The Cohiba Club’s founding back in the spring of ‘07. This short lancero features a blend similar to the original El Triunfador, but with a very special, very limited Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Made by Pete Johnson exclusively for John Ohm’s J&J Cigars in Seattle’s SODO district, it measures 6 inches by 38 ring gauge. The size itself was specifically requested by John as being a favorite of his and clearly this cigar’s existence serves as a visible tribute to Pete and John’s long friendship.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relaxed in comfort following our lengthy, heavy meal. We can’t say enough about the enjoyment of gathering inside The Vertigo Club on a cold, rainy night in Seattle.

The superior craftsmanship of this beautiful cigar is the handy work of none other than Don Pepin Garcia’s My Father Cigars factory in Esteli, Nicaragua. Most of our cigars were flawless. The attractive pigtail cap is such an eye-catcher, as is the toothy, dark CBM wrapper which has an inviting, sweet aroma. The wrapper had us further mystified when we noticed a glitter to it, when held under the right light. We surmised this to be the very secretion and subsequent crystallization of the leaf’s oils that marks the beginning of plume formation.

Once cut and lit, it didn’t take long for us to take note of the significant smoke output of this slender 38 ring gage cigar. In fact, these Corona Especials are great performers all the way around. The draw was superb on each and every one we had that night. The ash held pretty long for such a small ring as well. Burns were very even, though a few of us did need a relight or two toward the end of the 2nd third.

The flavors of this cigar are not all that intense, even somewhat subtle. One could certainly think of this as the lighter side of Tatuaje. The beginning is moderately bold with a wonderful espresso-like character for some, and cocoa for others in our group. Going forward, the smoothness was striking. The middle portion of the cigar was so easy going that we really found ourselves having to pay close attention to the subtle flavor changes. The final third offered the occasional meaty sensation balanced by a floral offset. The culmination left us with such a pleasant aftertaste of black tea, which was so clearly detectable, that several of us commented on it repeatedly.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Tatuaje El Triunfador SODO Corona Especial is 92. An outstanding cigar!
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

While certainly not a powerhouse, there’s plenty to like in this limited edition cigar, for everyone. What a shame only 200 boxes were made. Our six tasters rated the Tatuaje SODO so high, it now proudly holds a place in our top ten favorite cigars (as seen in the sidebar to the right).

What a treat to enjoy this fine cigar in the company of friends amidst the luxury of The Vertigo Club. An evening we’ll not soon forget.

Also, see the very thorough review by our friend Herman of 10-7ha.

See you at the next herf, January 2nd.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

--16dec10-- Finally, here's a few photos from Herf 40 at The Vertigo Club, courtesy of Cohiba Club co-founder Robert.

@PHXCigarGuy (L) and J&J Cigars owner John (R)

Cohiba Club charter member Joe

Cohiba Club co-founder John

Cohiba Club co-founder Fernand

Herf 39 – Maduros vs Mustangs

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 05:42:00 +0000

November 7th, 2010 – Sammamish, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Patrick (via Skype), Eric, and Brad. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Eric pulled out all the stops and prepared a knock-out sausage & vegetable soup, barbecue chicken breasts, broccoli, and salad. Robert & Joe provided the appetizers. There was no shortage of beverages; beer, spirits, and wine.

Our selection for this herf was the Camacho Corojo Maduro Cetros. This Honduran puro features an all-Jamastran Corojo blend and measures 6 1/2 inches by 44 ring gauge. The Cetros holds a current published rating from Cigar Aficionado of 89 (Aug, 2010).

From the Camacho website:

The Camacho Corojo, a truly superb tasting and fully aged cigar, has a distinctive flavor recognized by cigar aficionados around the world.
Entirely handmade from selected vintage tobaccos, giving them their truly distinctive and superb flavor. This unique cigar boasts the only truly authentic Corojo wrapper, binder, and filler.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relaxed in Eric’s back yard enjoying his new patio heater.

Our tasting panel appreciated the neat appearance and the high-quality looking roll of this lonsdale. There were no significant deductions to be made relative to it’s craftsmanship; a good, clean looking parejo shape.

The cigar’s performance was decent. Our six samples put out plenty of smoke. The draw was quite good across the board. Only one drew a little too fast. A few did have burn problems, needing touch-ups or relights. The ash seemed to be quite stable.

Earthy and woody tones seem to be the dominant flavors of this cigar. The transition would be characterized as a spicy beginning, a sweet mid-portion, and a stronger ending.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Camacho Corojo Maduro Cetros is 85. A very good cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

This is a nice looking, fine performing cigar with ‘okay’ flavors. It’s medium strength and pleasant smoothness never overpowered anybody. We thought it enjoyable enough to recommend, but it’s not a ‘must-try’ in our book.

The bonus of the evening was getting to see Eric’s completed ’67 Mustang restoration project. The photos don’t do it justice. Well done, Eric!

Herf 38 – Barbecue Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 04:34:00 +0000

October 3rd, 2010 – Woodway, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Patrick, Bruce, Tom, John D., Peter, and Mark. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

The local guys were extremely pleased to have out-of-state-member Patrick (@PHXCigarGuy) in town to attend this herf in person. Also, joining us once again was occasional guest (and brother of our host) Mark, who is always a pleasure to have along.

Our capable host John L. prepared some of best smoked, pulled pork barbecue we’d ever tasted. He acted a little worried about his result as we took our seats, but there was no doubt in our minds, and on our palates, that he nailed it! The guys contributed with 3 kinds of coleslaw, a wonderful pea salad, corn bread, wine, and several other goodies that I can’t recall due to the food coma that I was thrown into.

Our selection for this herf was the Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos. Made for Pete Johnson at Don Pepin’s Tabacalera Cubana S.A., in Nicaragua. This corona gorda measures 5 5/8 inches by 46 ring gauge. What a great size it is; not too large, not intimidating in the least. It’s just small enough in the ring guage to get more influence from the wrapper too. The Hermosos holds a current published rating, from Cigar Aficionado, of 89 (Mar, 2007).

From the Tatuaje website:

Havana VI
A classic and traditional Cuban Style blend created by Pete Johnson. Blended in the style of the flavorful yet Medium-Bodied Cuban Cigars.
Cigars are rolled in Nicaragua using select Nicaraguan tobaccos and classic Cuban blending with a beautiful Cuban triple-cap.
Staying true to the pride of El Rey do Los Habanos.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we headed into John’s garage, protected from the rain and warm in the spirit of our camaraderie.

Perhaps it’s not the most attractive cigar you’ve seen recently, but it still speaks of quality craftsmanship, nonetheless. There’s a little roughness to the appearance. More of a ‘natural’ look than anything. There’s a bit of tooth to the texture as well as moderate veins visible.

These sticks performed well, with even burns, and only a couple of our ten samples showing a draw that required some effort. The ash was gorgeous, though it tended to depart without warning after it got about an inch long (who’s complaining).

The start was peppery, as you’d expect from Pepin’s Nicaraguan leaf, but not overtly so. This soon faded after about a half inch into it. The quality of the blend was evidenced by an appreciated smoothness. Through the first third there were periods of sweetness backed by an aromatic leather undertone. Into the second third, the leather gave way to wood and an earthy character which club co-founder and herf host John found reminiscent of mushroom. This pretty much summed up the developing changes in flavor. As we reached the closing phase, the final experience was merely an intensification of the above themes.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Tatuaje Havana VI Hermosos is 87. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

To summarize, about half of us really liked it and the rest thought it was quite good, but not great. There’s plenty to like in this line. Great construction, easy flavors, simply a very pleasurable experience – and for a good price too! We definitely recommend you try it, if you haven’t already – or retry it if you have.

See you at the next herf, November 7th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Cigar Review – La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 04:40:00 +0000

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at General Cigar. Featured this time is the La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3 given to us back in April of this year.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 4 1/2”
Ring Gauge: 56
Filler: Dominican, Nicaraguan
Binder: Nicaraguan
Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sumatra
Strength: Medium
Price: $5.75

Produced in the Dominican Republic by El Credito B.V., it features a dark, rich looking Sumatra-seed wrapper grown in Ecuador. This short robusto holds a current Cigar Aficionado rating of 92 (June, 2010).

From the manufacturer’s website:

Renowned for its beefy ring gauges and full-flavored taste, La Gloria Cubana Serie R is one of the El Credito Cigar Factory’s hottest-selling offerings.
Serie R boasts an amazing spiciness and powerful, refined flavor which comes from a proprietary blend of Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos. When balanced with a Nicaraguan binder and a wonderfully aged Ecuadoran wrapper (Connecticut Broadleaf wraps the Maduro cigars), La Gloria Cubana Serie R’s exquisite taste captures a place in the smoking repertoires of today’s tenured smokers who demand the ultimate in flavor.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) club co-founders Robert and John smoked and rated the two samples sent to us.

Both Robert and John appreciated the impeccable roll quality. The short presentation was uniquely alluring in its own way. The foot revealed layers of leaf individually discernable, suggesting that bunching was moderately loose. The cap was deftly applied and the band was attractive too.

The draw started out pretty easy; border-line on too easy. The burn did waver slightly as it went, but wow did this cigar put out tons of thick smoke. John remarked, “It was a still night, I exhaled a cloud of smoke that slowly drifted off...and held together for 50 feet!” The ash was solid and white. The only performance detriment was a re-light at one point.

There was a nice floral character initially, as well as a little vanilla; mellow with soft spices. Toward the middle, there was a sense of cafe au lait with a slight cinamon finish. Some woody notes joined the party too. The ending ramped to a spicy cedar.

Our averaged rating for the La Gloria Cubana Serie R No. 3 is 91.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 32 pts (91% of the points possible)

Overall a very nice smoke that came across as relatively mild at times. Nice progressive flavor changes, voluminous amounts of smoke, and a welcomed smoothness.

Thanks again to General Cigar for providing us the opportunity to sample these tasty cigars. What a treat!

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 37 - Magnum Chickens

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 03:28:00 +0000

September 5th, 2010 – Seattle, WA

In attendance were Robert, Joe, Patrick (in AZ via Skype), Tom, John D., and Brad. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Once again, as he did back at herf #27, host John fed the guys his famous mesquite-smoked chickens this time featuring a secret Memphis rub. The guys brought a bevy of appetizers to feast on before the cavernous smoker was cracked open. John also threw in some previously-smoked salmon, as well as salad & buttermilk biscuits and all was complete for a memorable feast.

Our selection for this herf was the Arturo Fuente Rosado Sun Grown Magnum R54. Made in the Dominican Republic at Tabacalera A. Fuente y. Cia., it measures 6 ¼ inches by 54 ring gauge. This corona gorda is a nice, hearty-looking handful with a subtle, light-brown, Ecuadorian wrapper that exudes a sense of mild strength. The R54 holds a current published rating, from Cigar Aficionado, of 87 (Jan, 2010). It should be noted that the other two vitolas in this line did receive higher ratings from CA.

According to David Savona:

Carlos Fuente Jr. launched the line in December [of 2009] as a trio made with old Ecuadoran Sumatra wrappers, grown by the Olivas in Tampa, Florida. Fuente said the leaves were eight to 10 years old.
"We set those wrappers aside when we first created the Sun Grown line," he said. These wrappers are not only old, but are from much lower on the plant, the second and third primings, than the traditional primings that he has used in the past.
The three original sizes are Vitola Fifty-Two, which measures five inches by 52 ring gauge, Vitola Fifty-Four, 6 1/4 inches long by 54 ring, and Vitola Fifty-Six, 5 5/8 by 56.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we undertook this tasting at John’s new house, seated out on his back deck, overlooking Lake Washington.

What a handsome looking cigar, both the band and the wrapper. As you can tell by the 93% awarded in the Appearance and Construction category, this is one nice looking and well-made stick. Hats off to Carlito on a job well done.

It’s a pretty good performing cigar too. The norm was a steady, even burn and a long bright ash bearing its own visual appeal. Plentiful smoke output was also appreciated among our cigar tasters. A couple didn’t burn so well, but hopefully those were mere anomalies.

The start is mild. The most reported identifiable flavor among our group was nuts. Some almond, some chestnut – or simply roasted nuts, generally speaking. Mid-way, things sweeten-up a bit. It was subtle, like a blonde clover honey and somewhat intermittent. Patrick detected something a little clearer, butterscotch, he thought. A pleasant sense of white pepper was barely noticeable later on, in the latter third, along with some leather.

This was a nice break from the fuller-bodied cigars we’ve been enjoying this year. A couple of us found it too mild (lacking distinction) but still, it’s worth experiencing the subtlety of flavors and ease with which you can pass the time in relaxation with this mellow blend.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the A.Fuente Rosado SG Magnum R54 is 87. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

A very nice cigar which we recommend for beginners or those just wishing to try the lighter side of Arturo Fuente. Pick up a few at your local tobacconist, if you can find them, that is.

See you at the next herf, October 3rd.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

IPCPR - General Blowout

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 00:54:00 +0000

by club member Patrick

To attempt to sum up the entire 2010 IPCPR Trade Show would be unfair -- while many commented on it being smaller than previous years, there was still plenty to behold for both the first-timer and the chiseled veteran.

First and foremost - the trade show is about making sales to retailers. While the hype about new cigar releases is what gets most of the attention from the bloggers and on Twitter, ultimately it's about getting orders for new and existing products that will begin rolling into retail stores in the coming weeks.

While it's not fair to attempt to guess who made the most sales, it is fair to look at who created the better booths and the most enjoyable environments, while also putting out some of the most exciting cigars and noteworthy buzz of the show.

The clear winner was General Cigar -- with one of the largest booths and some of the most generous amounts of cigars available, they seemed to make the most favorable impression on many retailers. The Hoyo de Monterrey Reposado en Cedros cigar came out as one of my favorite new releases of the show, followed closely by the La Gloria Cubana Serie N and LGC Artesanos de Tabaqueros 'Obelisco,' a new shape dedicated to a monument in the Dominican Republic. The consistent theme that was reiterated by many in the General Cigar space was that 'the gloves are off,' meaning that the company has allowed the blenders and brand managers to explore new things and bring them to market. Where General Cigar may have been known for playing it safe with many of their brands over the past years, they seem to be setting the stage for continued growth into more 'artisan cigars,' a comment made by Michael Giannini, La Gloria Cubana's National Sales Manager and Marketing Director. He noted how the term 'boutique' has become overused and misused in the current market, which is why General and LGC is focusing on artisan cigars.

Beyond the cigars, General Cigar had a more relaxed environment, with many of their sales staff in short sleeve button-ups, as opposed to the suit-and-tie uniform that was found at Altadis. General also had cigar legend Benji Menendez on hand throughout the event to talk with retailers and the media, and if you ever get the chance to talk with Menendez, it is highly recommended that you do it. To cap it off, they had complimentary food and drink available throughout the entire show, and many were going back to the General Booth for a snack and getting more exposure to the new offerings.

Not to be overlooked from General Cigar was their Tuesday night party - an absolute blowout at Generations Hall that featured a buffet of New Orleans favorites, an open bar, two bands and plenty of cigars to sample from throughout their lineup. It was a stark contrast from the more buttoned-up affair that Altadis hosted in the Hilton Hotel adjacent to the convention center. While it was certainly nice, and included food, drink, and a five-pack of the Montecristo 75th Anniversary cigars, General Cigar took home the prize for best Tuesday night party.

Miami Cigar Company also had a strong presence, as they unveiled the new Art Deco cigar from Nestor Miranda, as well as a new cigar from Guillermo Leon that will only be available in brick-and-mortar stores. With the show closing at 5pm every day, Miami Cigar opened up their bar at 4pm with free Presidente Beer and some tasty rum to refresh the weary attendees.

Among the other notables -- Oliva Cigar's Sam Leccia, creator of the Cain and Nub series, was on-hand and very conversational throughout the event, including slipping a few Cain F Nubs into the hands of some appreciative cigar folks. They also gave out some of the nicest bags of the event, and loaded up attendees with a selection of 15 cigars that sampled their many offerings.

After that, each company had similar approaches - displays of their new offerings with plenty of sales reps and the big names of the companies available and ready to talk. It's fair to say that if there was someone you wanted to talk to in the cigar industry, you'd find them at the IPCPR trade show. Over the course of three days I had conversations with Nestor Miranda, Don "Pepin" Garcia, Ernesto Perez-Carillo, Jorge Padron, Litto Gomez, Pete Johnson, Dion Giolito, Jesus Fuego, Rocky Patel, Sam Leccia, Guillermo Leon, Rick Rodriguez, Benji Menedez, Avo Uvezian, Alan Rubin, Jonathan Drew and numerous others.

While I left the 2010 IPCPR with numerous new cigars to try and a much greater appreciation for the business, the excitement as to the coming year of cigars is good, if tempered a bit. Value remains a key focus, as does creating blends that are exclusive to brick-and-mortar retailers in an attempt to give them something unique to offer consumers as they battle the continued discounting that online retailers offer.

Would I go back? Absolutely. But for now, I have some cigars to smoke.

Patrick can be found on examiner.com and on twitter (@PHXCigarGuy)

Herf 36 – Ribs on Steroids

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 05:53:00 +0000

August 1st, 2010 – Edmonds, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Pat, Patrick (in AZ), John D., Brad, and special guest Brandon (via Skype along with Patrick in Arizona). As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Herf host Joe took this opportunity to perfect his budding skills in the art of smoking ribs in his backyard barbecue grill. After reviewing various recommended techniques online, he conducted a trial run the weekend prior to this herf. On this past Sunday, he was ready. His preparations clearly paid off in a big way and the lucky recipients were the club members in attendance. These ribs (purchased at Double DD Meats) were huge and perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. Robert brought the perfect sidekick for these sweet, savory ribs; his famous wasabi cole slaw, which added just the right balance to this decadent meal.

Our selection for this herf was the Nub Maduro 460. Measuring at 4x60, they pack a lot of tobacco into a small package. The make-up features a dark Brazilian wrapper and Nicaraguan binder and filler. Though we chose the straight parejo vitola, the torpedo version holds a current Cigar Aficionado rating of 87 (Oct, 2009).

From the manufacturer’s website:

A favorite among smokers, the Maduro’s Brazillian wrapper is known for its rich, dark chocolate appearance and flavor. Rolled as a Nub, the maduro offers a full-bodied, but mellow smoke with notes of mocha.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting seated out on Joe’s back deck facing a gorgeous Puget Sound sunset. Joining us via Skype (as usual) was our club member Patrick in Phoenix. Coming to us live from the Prop 201 Club at Fumar Cigars, Patrick had Brandon, the retail manager of Fumar, along for this herf as well.

The Nubs immediately elicited a reaction from the club members. Admittedly, it was about time we’d had this cigar as one of our monthly herf sticks. Even harder to belive, most of our club members had not gotten around to trying one yet. The appearance of these sticks faired pretty well, as did roll quality – a nice compact unit, but not so tight to spoil the draw.

The very dark Brazilian wrapper led the way with it’s bitter chocolate profile which is exactly what most of us detected in the early phases. Most of us agreed on primary notes of bitter dark chocolate, with minor proportions of vanilla bean, raisin, coffee, and the occasional mix of tannic spices. Not exactly the most complex flavor profile we’ve had lately, but pleasing nonetheless. Different for sure!

About an inch into the burn, is where things got interesting. For a couple of the guys, their wrappers burst revealing binders that may have had a little too much give to them. Fortunately for the rest of us, our cigars burned along happily with no hiccups whatsoever. Burn, draw, and smoke production were non-eventful for most of our eight samples. Sure, there was the occasional touch-up, and later a few relights among the group, but that was the worst of it. A couple bad sticks aside, performance was pretty consistent, for the most part. Club charter member Joe, our host for the evening, even managed to stand his on its ash long enough for Club co-founder Robert to snap a picture of it.

The strength hardly got above medium. Starting out, there were hints that it may intensify, but it definitely settled from the middle portion on toward the end, never ramping up really.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Nub Maduro 460 is 89. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

All in all a very nice cigar which we have no hesitation to recommend. Pick some up soon from your local tobacconist.

See you at the next herf, September 5th.

Photo credit to club co-founder Robert.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved

Herf 35 – Thanksgiving in June

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:40:00 +0000

June 6th, 2010 – Edmonds, WA

First off, we must admit our failing to properly document the event with any photos. I’ll admit to being fully surprised (and horrified) the day after this herf upon realizing that we were left with no pics to show for it. This oversight, however, does not diminish from the fact that this was a fantastic herf. Read on to find out why.

Taking part were Fernand, Robert, John L., Joe, Pat (in PA), Bruce, Patrick (in AZ), Eric, John D., John H, and Tom K. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

Herf host Bruce found himself with a big, plump turkey needing to be eaten, so suddenly the 'Thanksgiving' theme was set for this potluck-style dinner. Joe added sausage stuffing, John H brought corn and basil-parmesan potatoes, and Robert made a pumpkin cheesecake. What a feast! Of course, many fine spirits were brought to be shared as well.

Our selection for this herf was the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Perfecto. This big 6x60 is a Nicaraguan puro and holds a current Cigar Aficionado rating of 90 (June, 2009).

From the manufacturer’s website:

Antaño in Spanish means "yesteryear" a name that is a tribute to the Joya de Nicaragua cigar of the 70's when the brand became one of the favorite smokes in the American market.
This is a full bodied cigar made with 100% Nicaraguan tobacco. The shiny Colorado wrapper and the complexity of its blend give a very distinctive personality to this cigar, created to satisfy the most exigent smoker who looks for a robust cigar, rich in taste and aroma. Antaño 1970 actually is one of the favorite full bodied cigars in the world and is a symbol of the true Nicaraguan puro. For us, Antaño represents the toil of our people, the fruit of our beloved fields, and ultimately, it is a reflection of our souls.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting while gathered ‘round Bruce’s outdoor fire pit. Also joining us for the evening was Bruce’s son Tom, who was a real pleasure to have along and experience this thing we call a ‘herf’ for his first time.

At first sight, no one could believe the girth of these sticks. The cigar looks like it means business and several guys suspected it was going to be a strong one. The rustic wrapper appeared capably applied, with a nice chocolate-brown color and a pleasing aroma to it. As club member Patrick put it, “a beast to behold, but a beauty in the hand.” It should be noted that a few of the cigars did display excess adhesive on the surface of the wrapper leaf, which became more visible as the cigar warmed.

Most of our eleven cigars drew just fine and burned pretty well too. Soon however, we noticed a funny thing happening. We were hardly getting any smoke from it. The flavors seemed enjoyable enough, but it was hard to tell for quite a while, at least for the first half.

Fortunately, the second half brought improved smoke output, and likewise, the richness and identities of the flavors started to become more clear. Some roasted coffee and dark chocolate notes came through. Later, there was also some smoked meat in there too. The aroma in the air coming off this cigar was just wonderful. Certainly, the quality and skillful aging of the tobaccos is evident.

The strength never got out of hand, right down to the end. A couple of the guys were left wanting more, while overall, most of us were surprised that it wasn’t a more potent smoke than the large size suggested it might be.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Joya de Nicaragua Antaño 1970 Gran Perfecto is 86. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

Almost of every one of us agreed to try more cigars from the Antaño 1970 line. There was enough in the flavor department to pique everyone’s interest and thanks the improved performance in the 2nd half, which salvaged the experience, the cigar became very well liked by our group of eleven tasters.

See you at the next herf, August 1st.

Gift Review – Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sat, 22 May 2010 02:03:00 +0000

by club member Patrick

Another in our ongoing series of occasional reviews of cigars given to us as gifts. Featured this time is the Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso, given to me by club founder Fernand back in March of this year.

Vitola: Belicoso
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 5 1/4”
Ring Gauge: 52
Filler: Dominican
Binder: Dominican
Wrapper: Connecticut Shade Grown/Natural
Strength: Mild
MSRP: $200 (box of 25)

Produced by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia., it features a very light Connecticut natural wrapper and a well executed belicoso shape. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 87 (Jun, 2006).

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a modified dark n’ stormy – ginger beer with Sailor Jerry spiced rum in place of the Gosling’s black rum.

A very attractive light colored cigar, the Ashton Cabinet begged to be selected from the humidor as it stood out against its darker leafed brethren. With a nearly perfect Connecticut wrapper, the quality of the Fuente company’s rollers was readily apparent, with a firm but not overly hard texture and only the smallest of blemishes and veins present.

Technically, the cigar is top-notch. While I started with a single clip of the head using a double-bladed guillotine, I opted for a second cut about halfway through which really opened up the airflow and gave the smoke some added volume, both of which weren’t necessary but were certainly appreciated in my enjoyment of this cigar. The ash clung tight for over an inch twice throughout the cigar, and seemed to easily turn an almost perfect white. I took this stick right down to the nub without a single technical flaw.

Keeping in line with its mild flavor profile, the first two thirds of the cigar bring some light woodsy notes, as well as the occasional graham cracker or wheat cracker taste – certainly present but not overpowering, and easy to see why both are generally consumed with something on them as opposed to by themselves. The final third delivers a bigger punch of flavor, with some notes reminiscent of Champagne and Prosecco coming through, followed by a nuttier and smokier finish that I would have loved to see present throughout more of the cigar, hence my desire to get every last puff out of it.

My rating for the Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso is 89.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 out of 15 pts (93.3% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 21 out of 25 pts (84% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 24 out of 25 pts (96% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 30 out of 35 pts (85.7% of the points possible)

The Ashton Cabinet Selection Belicoso is a thoroughly enjoyable cigar, if a bit mild for my taste. Price not an issue, this is a pick for the fan of milder cigars, or for those new to cigars and looking for an introduction from a gentler taste perspective. Considering price however, this cigar seems to push the higher limit that most new to cigars would seem to tolerate, although cigar veterans might not object to paying for Fuente’s quality of work provided it fits their taste preferences. It certainly earned its Ashton mark of quality and would be a welcomed smoke in the future.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Punch Upper Cut Grand Corona

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sat, 15 May 2010 03:37:00 +0000

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at General Cigar. Featured this time is the Punch Upper Cut Grand Corona.

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Origin: Honduras
Length: 6”
Ring Gauge: 45
Filler: Nicaragua
Binder: Nicaragua
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra
Strength: Medium
Price: $6.49

Produced by Honduras American Tobacco, it features a dark, rich looking Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper and the much-anticipated Ometepe filler. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 88 (Oct, 2009). We had previously reviewed another cigar containing Ometepe leaf from General Cigar, the La Escepción, check it out here.

From the manufacturer’s website:

An offspring of the Punch “Election” promotion, the blend created for Upper Cut by Punch is the direct result of a national taste test. Using this feedback, General Cigar’s elite new product development team in Honduras married the classic, rich taste of Punch with Nicaraguan spice to produce this alluring, medium-bodied smoke that peppers the palate with an array of complex flavors.

Dressed in a silky Ecuadoran Sumatra wrapper and framed with a Nicaraguan binder, Upper Cut’s Nicaraguan blend commands attention, for it features the unique flavor of Ometepe tobacco cultivated exclusively for General Cigar in limited quantity.

Our club’s three co-founders (John, Robert, Fernand) comprised this scoring panel, and as usual, followed CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

A rich, earthy aroma prior lighting had us eager to start things off without delay. Also, the Ecuadorian Sumatra wrapper displayed a beautiful sheen and texture, despite some moderate veins and a few minor bumps. The roll quality of this slender parejo appeared true and uniform.

This cigar turned out to be a great performer. Our three samples all offered clean draws that delivered ample mouthfuls of delicious smoke which our tasters described as creamy and silky. These burned great too; touch-ups were a rarity and we were able to enjoy the sticks free of any effort to keep them going. Not much to report regarding the ash; it held on for a bit and had a compact, uniform appearance.

Robert thought it came across smoother than the La Escepción we reviewed previously. Fernand found the mid-portion very easy-going with an herbal sweetness. There were a couple brief periods of sharpness in the final third, but never enough to spoil it. John summarized his experience as, “Rich vanilla latte flavor, finishing with a hint of sandalwood.”

Our averaged rating for the Punch Upper Cut Grand Corona is 90.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 24 pts (96% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

An intriguing cigar to say the least. There’s something about that Ometepe leaf, perhaps. One apiece simply wasn’t enough, we’ll have to try more and we suggest you do the same.

Thanks to General Cigar for allowing us to sample this new blend.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Herf 34 – Shelter From The Storm

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Sun, 09 May 2010 04:46:00 +0000

May 2nd, 2010 – Shoreline, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, Joe, Tom, John D. and Patrick (via Skype). As usual, we gathered to enjoy a recently recommended cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group-tasting' following dinner.

The five of us in Shoreline met at Tom’s house for dinner. Anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of tasting Tom’s famous smoked meats know full-well what an incredible treat this was. Tom’s never let us down, and naturally, he came through once again. His smoked beef and pork loin were moist, tender, full of flavor. What else would we have needed… Oh, there were some great side dishes; asparagus, soup, chips, salsa, bread, dip – but come on - the meat!

Our cigar selection for this herf was the Padilla Series ’68 Lancero. This long, lean lancero is made at Tabacalera Flores in Honduras. The current published rating for the Series ’68 Lancero is 88 (Feb, 2008).

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we relocated down the road a mile to the shelter of Fernand’s covered patio for the tasting; thus avoiding the gusty winds that were raging in Tom’s back yard. Various brown spirits and ales were enjoyed during the course of the evening, along with plenty of camaraderie in the company of good friends.

Everyone of us was immediately pleased to be having a lancero at this herf because it’s not a vitola that we see a lot at these monthly get-togethers. Prominent veins were the primary visual distraction from an otherwise very nice looking cigar. As lanceros are reported to be among the more difficult shapes to roll, Mr. Padilla’s tabaqueros get some kudos here for crafting such well-formed cigars. It should be said, however, that one of our samples did have quite a bend to it; merely a visual oddity with no other impact.

Most of these cigars drew wonderfully, only one was a bit firm. The smoke put out by these ‘68’s was surprising for such a narrow ring gauge cigar (7x38). The burn was where we did have some problem, unfortunately. Several of the cigars would go out quickly, without warning – and not due to having been put down for very long either. Most of us had to relight multiple times through the mid-section, going into the final third.

Flavors were pleasant soon after clipping and lighting. What a smooth, easy start to it, quite mild at first. The aroma coming off the lit foot was very enticing; mild herbs & spices. Some of the tastes we experienced throughout the smoke were of tea and almond. As a few of our group has become accustomed to stronger flavor profiles, they were left wanting a little more in the flavor department.

After throwing out the highest and lowest, then averaging the remaining scores, The Cohiba Club's official rating for the Padilla Series ’68 Lancero is 87. An excellent cigar.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

An enjoyable cigar, to say the least. Everybody left the evening having enjoyed these lanceros very much. Aside from the couple burn issues (not staying lit) they were very easy smokin’ with something for everyone.

See you at the next herf, June 6th.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – La Escepción Batet

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:52:00 +0000

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at General Cigar. Featured this time is the La Escepción “Batet”.

Vitola: Figurado
Origin: Honduras
Length: 5”
Ring Gauge: 54
Filler: Nicaraguan, Ometepe
Binder: Ometepe
Wrapper: Honduran Habano Talango
Strength: Medium
Price: $5.39

The cigar is produced at the Honduras American Tabaco S. A. factory in Cofradia, Honduras. It’s blend features the much talked about Ometepe leaves; fruits of the rich volcanic soil found on the island of Ometepe, located in vast Lake Nicaragua.

From the manufacturer’s website:

La Escepción was once a Cuban brand that stood in the shadows of Hoyo de Monterrey. Today, General Cigar is proud to unveil a wholly-new expression of this storied brand by honoring its full-flavored tradition.

La Escepción debuts with an entirely new set of distinctions, for this bold ensemble was developed in accordance with national consumer feedback and features tobacco exclusive to General Cigar.

Boasting the world’s first Ometepe binder, La Escepción is handcrafted in Honduras and boasts a unique blend of proprietary Nicaraguan tobaccos. Enveloped in lustrous Honduran Habano Talanga, this medium-bodied collection offers a modern take on the brand, with an intriguingly rich, bold flavor and model construction that is evident at the first glance.

Taking part in this review were the club’s three co-founders (John, Robert, Fernand). As is our usual method, we followed Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

Right off the bat, we were struck by the convenient size of this stocky little cigar (which I liken more to a belicoso than a torpedo). Just right for a warm spring afternoon, not too big, not intimidating. Up close, it’s not without its share of imperfections; some surface roughness, veins, bumps and the occasional spot or blemish. There’s still something appealing throughout all that – something ‘natural’ about it.

The draw was very nice across all three of our samples. The burn was fantastic as well, some of the best we’ve seen in a long time (love a cigar that burns trouble-free). The quantity of smoke produced was plentiful and comfortable. The ash held long, didn’t flake much and gave an impression of quality leaves.

The flavor started out with just a nice, basic tobacco essence. Then came notes of vanilla and leather. There was also something of a mildly acidic sweetness, like dried apricot perhaps. One of us got a pretty solid sense of charred meat, like well-done barbecue. It was never bitter or tannic; smooth all the way down.

Our averaged rating for the La Escepción Batet is 88.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 23 pts (92% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

We were very pleased to get to experience the Ometepe tobacco. What a nice medium-bodied experience. We do recommend you stop by your local tobacconist to try these.

Thanks again to General Cigar Co. for giving us the opportunity to taste these unique cigars.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Coronado Corona Especial

noreply@blogger.com (TCC) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 04:10:00 +0000

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at J&J Cigars. Featured this time is the Coronado by La Flor ‘Corona Especial’.

Vitola: Corona Gorda
Origin: Dom. Rep.
Length: 5 ¾”
Ring Gauge: 47
Filler: Dominican Sumatra and Piloto Cubano
Binder: Dominican Corojo
Wrapper: Nicaragua
Strength: Full
Price: $8.10

This beautiful cigar is produced in the D.R. at Tabacalera La Flor under the watchful eye of Litto Gomez. It features a Habano-seed Sun-Grown Nicaraguan wrapper and a filler/binder blend grown at the LFD farm in La Canela, D.R. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 92 (Oct, 2007).

The three samples for this review were scored by club co-founders John & Fernand and club member Patrick. As is our usual method, we followed CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression).

With a light, milk-chocolate brown wrapper cloaking an elegant roll, the only visual detractions may have been a few minor veins and noticeable ridges & bumps. Two of the cigars drew just fine, but one was way too tight at first. Fortunately, it improved as it went. The quantity of smoke produced was sufficient, but not remarkable. The ash tended to fall sooner than we’re used to, though it wasn’t a hindrance to the experience.

As often happens, we all found different flavors in this cigar. John noticed leather, anise, and dark chocolate. Fernand found a grassy start, followed by black tea, and later a savory mid-section. Patrick detected a cocoa powder entry, then breads & grains, and even a little roasted marshmallow to cap it all off. One thing’s for sure, there’s likely to be something in this cigar’s flavor profile for everybody. In the end, the Flavor category is where our highest marks were scored.

Our averaged rating for the Coronado by La Flor ‘Corona Especial’is 85.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 13 pts (87% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

This cigar doesn’t disappoint. For us, it seems, the performance aspects appear to be holding it back a bit. Incidentally, we have enjoyed other vitolas from this line before. In fact, one of those still resides among our Top Ten list (see the sidebar to the right).

Bottom Line: You won’t be sad you gave this brand a try, if you haven’t already.

Thanks to John at J&J Cigars in Shoreline for giving us the opportunity to review this very enjoyable cigar.

© 2010 The Cohiba Club – All rights reserved.